safety net

noun

: something that provides security against misfortune or difficulty

Examples of safety net in a Sentence

The program provides a safety net for people who have lost their jobs.
Recent Examples on the Web Consider investing the money that will be coming your way into a 401(k) to start building a safety net. Essence, 31 July 2024 In just one month, California’s Medicaid program paid nearly $20 million for health-care services on behalf of beneficiaries who were concurrently enrolled in the safety net program in another state, according to an audit by the HHS inspector general. Mckenzie Beard, Washington Post, 29 July 2024 But federal disaster assistance should be a safety net, not the primary recovery source. Bryan Koon, Sun Sentinel, 28 July 2024 Unrestricted cash has a lot of power to be able to fill in places where the safety net is inadequate. Allison Parshall, Scientific American, 25 July 2024 See all Example Sentences for safety net 

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'safety net.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

First Known Use

1877, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of safety net was in 1877

Dictionary Entries Near safety net

Cite this Entry

“Safety net.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/safety%20net. Accessed 19 Aug. 2024.

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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